A sophisticated new Ambassadeur "Record" reel courtesy of
Abu Garcia(continued)

For
smoothness we adjusted the drag setting throughout its ranges and tested it for
good start up and consistent and constant pressure as line came off the spool.
The Abu Garcia Carbon Matrix drag system provided the characteristics that we
look for in a quality drag system. When fighting Salmon with this reel we tuned the drag at 9lbs to
allow the fish to run and tire themselves out. What we found was that the
Record's "Carbon Matrix" drag was very smooth, and we didn't experience any reel
"shudder" at all. Furthermore,
when the
fish ran the levelwind remained engaged and moved left and right assisting the
line to prevent it from coming off the spool at great angles that could cause
the loss of a big fish. In no situation were we dejected with the drag’s
performance and never had any fear of losing fish as the fishing line was always
under full control of the admirable Abu drag system.

Each turn of the handle translate into
quick and power retrieves and well padded components provides good
ergonomics

Ergonomics:For the largest size Record I was surprised that it still fared well in the
ergonomics category. I was able to comfortably jig for eight hours straight,
palming the reel without getting hand cramps or any sort of discomfort. All the
places where you might put your fingers are well padded. The handle knobs are
oversized and made of firm rubber for easy gripping all day. The thumb bar is
also made of a firm rubber that’s comfortable to rest on, and we exercised it to
the extremes when engaging and disengaging while vertically jigging for rockcod.
Also for anglers who like to palm reels the Record provides a rubber pad on top
of the reel, perfectly placed for added comfort while fishing this exciting
round reel.

When casting most reels you need to physically press down on the clutch button
to depress it and put the reel in freespool mode. On the Record the clutch
doesn't actually slide down like a Shimano or Daiwa reel, instead it flips down
and back up on a hinge. This well padded button is among the easiest and coolest
clutches we have ever tested, and allows for very quick activation of freespool
in preparation of each cast. In terms of overall ergonomics the Record gets high
marks.

The RCN60 makes a great jigging reel and
is powerful enough to turn the head of larger rockfish

Applications:The Abu Garcia Record comes in three sizes that will appeal to anglers who
fish for anything from bass to inshore saltwater species. The smallest size,
RCN40, which holds 105 yards of 10 pound test is great for freshwater anglers
targeting bass and other smaller species. It’s also the right size for saltwater
anglers fishing along the coast for rockcod or the flats for sea trout and
snook. Then there’s the RCN50 that holds 135 yards of 12 pound test. The largest
size, the one we tested is also just as multi-talented as the others and able to
handle salmon, stripers, and sizeable rockfish in our region. The Record was
designed with genuine Swedish components to withstand the toughest freshwater
and saltwater applications.

A solid gear train provides plenty of
power to haul up rockfish from the bottom

Maintenance:Abu Garcia reels have
always been among the easiest to do both regular and annual maintenance on,
thanks to their straightforward design. Abu Garcia recommends a light freshwater
spray, a wipe down, and then basic lubrication of points after each use. Oil and
instructions come with the reel which show you the key areas to lubricate. We
found the instructions clear, and maintaining the Record after each use was
quick and hassle-free.

The Record
is among the easiest reels to maintain

Though the maintenance
instructions did say light spray, we intentionally applied a strong force of
spray directed at the reel. Then we opened it up to see how well the reel was
sealed. During the inspection we did notice a few drops of water inside the
Record due to our intentional forceful spray, but concluded that if the reel is
rinsed normally by Anglers no water would have entered critical areas.

Ratings:

Abu Garcia
Ambassadeur Record Reel
Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality

The
Record is built solid with corrosion resistant components. The reel has
nearly zero plastic components. The reel feels solid from the inside out

9

Performance

Cast,
retrieve, drag all performed well during our field tests and its superior
performance makes it capable of targeting multiple species of freshwater and
saltwater fish

9

Price

A
well built reel with a competitive price point. This reel does cost more
than the other Ambassadeur reels, but it does offer a lot more refinement

8.5

Features

This
reel comes with many features that give it good overall performance such as
the Sensi-Brakes spool bearings, centrifugal breaking system, and the Carbon
Matrix drags

8.5

Design (Ergonomics)

This
reel feels like many other round baitcast reel but with some added comfort
features. We love the padding and ergonomic clutch

9.5

Application

Abu
Garcia designed this reel to be fishable in both freshwater and saltwater
with three different sizes to cover most species

9.5

Total Score

9.0

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus Minus

J Well built, closer to
Morrum feel

L Chassis can allow
water to enter if blasted

J Non disengaging
levelwind

J Smooth drag system

J Good caster

J Reasonable price

Conclusion:The
Record is probably the best reel we’ve seen introduced by Abu Garcia since the
Morrum and a worthy winner of our Editors Choice Award. This round baitcast reel
is built to be the flagship of the Ambassadeur line up, and thanks to a new
level of civility this reel looks and feels like it has what it takes to bridge
the gap between the Ambassadeur series and the Morrums. The chassis construction
is very sound, sporting quality components that resist corrosion and are
designed from robust materials to help battle some
of the hardest hitting fish. This multi-talented reel is
capable of handling both freshwater and saltwater game, is exceptionally easy to
maintain, and is priced to compete. Abu fans rejoice, this is a reel that goes
back to the roots of what made Abu so great in the first place. Quality Swedish
design, first rate materials, a high level of performance and refinement, all at
a
reasonable price. We, along with the angling
community, are very happy
to see the return of the Record, a fine Swedish made reel with a rich pedigree,
and the quality to put the series into the history books
again. The Record is sure to please Abu fans, and help convert anglers that
might not yet have considered the brand. If you haven't looked at Abu before the
Record is certainly a good place to start.